Injury-reducing products in the sports and recreation market are becoming lighter, thinner, less cumbersome and more customized. By Jan M. Brenny Changes in the world of impact protection are fueled by all segments of the marketplace, from material producers and technology developers to end-product manufacturers and consumers. Sadly, sports and recreation injuries factor prominently into [...]

Chandler Clark relies on hard work and ingenuity to build a thriving business during the recession. By Sigrid Tornquist “In the Navy they call it deckplate leadership,” says Chandler Clark, owner of Signature CanvasMakers in Hampton, Va. “It’s a leadership style that involves teamwork, common sense and taking care of your people—and I try to [...]

E-textile technology for personal safety and health applications will someday provide smart garments for everyday wear. By Tom Martin What are the most exciting or intriguing developments in the industry in advanced textiles? The most exciting development is the potential for textiles to sense and respond to their environments and situations. In particular, integrating sensors [...]

Fabric Graphics Association board member Rich Thompson, president of AdGraphics, was recognized by the Federation of Screen and Digital Printers Association (FESPA) as World Print Champion for FESPA 2012 Hall of Fame. Located in Pompano Beach, Fla., AdGraphics is a leader in large format printing and signage, including vehicle wrap graphics and lettering. It was [...]

[Down Décor] Cincinnati, Ohio Down is universally regarded as an efficient natural insulator, used for decades in apparel and sleeping bags. The central flaw of down, however, is that once it is wet, it loses its loft and insulation factor, making it difficult to dry and compromising the comfort and safety of outdoor athletes. Working [...]

[Birdair Inc.] Amherst, N.Y. The Talisman Centre for Sport and Wellness in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is sporting a new roof that may look like its original, but it’s quite different. Birdair Inc. served as the roofing subcontractor, replacing the 162,000-square-foot tensile roof installed in 1983 with an updated Tensotherm™ with Lumira™ aerogel roofing system. The [...]

Needlepunch nonwoven fabrics are a popular choice for applications as varied as furniture construction and oil spill containment. Thrace-LINQ Inc., Summerville, S.C., has supplied woven and nonwoven geosynthetic technical fabrics, but is now expanding into new markets, including industrial, automotive, building materials, absorbency, furniture and bedding. The company’s advanced fiber processing capabilities allow it to [...]

Concerns over global climate change and a rise in energy prices are likely to create opportunities in nanotechnology discoveries in the energy sector. Royal DSM N.V., Heerlen, The Netherlands, has invested in NanoHoldings LLC, Rowayton, Conn., a company that specializes in nanoenergy breakthroughs and research. DSM Venturing is focused on teaming up at early stages [...]

A new report by Visiongain, a London-based provider of industry and business intelligence, indicates that military body armor and personal protective gear will be a $1.07 billion market in 2012, despite defense budget cuts planned by many nations, including the U.S. “An underlying desire and responsibility to provide the best protection to military personnel will [...]

According to the latest issue of Performance Apparel Markets by Textiles Intelligence, Wilmslow, U.K., smart textiles and wearable technology are poised for rapid growth, if key issues with power sources and laundering can be resolved. Internet-savvy younger users want connectivity, speed and multiple-function communication options. The aging population will benefit from wearable technology that monitors [...]